Jon Whitney to field strongest Walsall team for FA Cup clash

The National League outfit head to the Banks's Stadium tomorrow for the first round clash.

Walsall enter the tie in impressive form having won four and drawn two of their six matches in October.

Macclesfield meanwhile have failed to win in their last three outings and sit 10th in the National League.

But with the FA Cup famous for upsets, Whitney is leaving nothing to chance as he bids to extend his team's unbeaten run.

"I won't be rotating," the boss said.

"I will be playing my strongest team. I'm approaching it like a league game because I want to keep this run going.

"I want to continue the momentum.

"It will be difficult because the pressure is off them, they have underdog status. That expectancy levels things out a little bit and that's why you get upsets in the cup.

"But it's all about mindsets. My players understand that. Even in the Checktrade Trophy – there has been a consistency to what we do.

"Last year we got to the fourth round and we want to get that far again or go even further."

Whitney admits the FA Cup is a competition that means a lot to him – with the boss part of a Hull City side that famously took on Chelsea back in 1999.

"I have got some great memories of the FA Cup," the boss continued.

"For me, it's a prestigious and important cup competition.

"I do not want an upset at the Banks's and I'd love a run in the FA Cup.

"I can remember playing for Hull when we were a third division team against Chelsea.

"I was marking Gianfranco Zola. I thought I'd get tight to him and see if I can nullify him.

"But within 10 minutes we were 2-0 down. Gus Poyet bent two in the top corner.

"It made me realise, no matter how hard you try – quality sometimes stands out.

"They had an incredible team. It was coming of the back of France winning the World Cup. Marcel Desailly was playing.

"It was a good lesson for me, it made me realise sometimes you can try too hard."